Senior citizens can apply for food vouchers

The S.C. Department of Social Services is again sponsoring the annual Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program for citizens 60 years old and older who meet certain eligibility requirements. Funds for SFMNP are provided by a USDA grant intended both to provide seniors with "fresh, nutritious, unprocessed fruits and vegetables from local farmers and to increase awareness and use of community markets."

From its 2001 start with six participating counties, SFMNP now serves seniors in 42 S.C. counties. Sumter Senior Services is again assisting with distribution of vouchers that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gail Wilson, executive director of SSS, said, "Individuals may qualify to receive $25 worth of coupons to buy the fresh (foods) from authorized farmers."

She said to qualify for the program, applicants must be low-income seniors 60 and older; live in a participating county; and have valid driver's licenses or state IDs to present at pickup.

The application can be done online at https://bit.ly/2WS08F6, or applicants can contact Sumter Senior Services for assistance at (803) 773-5508. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 25.

Wilson said, "The list of participating farmers is incomplete at this time, but a complete list of farmers and locations will be given to applicants during the distribution of the vouchers."

Those eligible will receive five SFMNP checks worth $5 each for use at participating farmers' markets. They may be used from May through Oct. 15.

For more information, contact Sumter Senior Services weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at (803) 773-5508.

The following is an incomplete list of distribution sites, operational dates and hours:

Clarendon County

- Summerton Senior Center, 1154 Bo Butler St., Summerton, June 11, 1-3 p.m.;

- Paxville Community Center, 1018 Lewis Road, Manning, June 12, 10 a.m.-noon;

- Turbeville Town Hall, 1400 Main St., Turbeville, June 13, 10 a.m.-noon; and

- Manning Senior Center, 206 S. Church St., Manning, June 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Lee County

- Lee County Council on Aging, 51 Wilkinson Road, Bishopville, June 8, 9 a.m.-noon, and June 10-11, noon-3 p.m.

Sumter County

- Sumter Senior Services-Delaine Center, 5400 Cane Savannah Road, Wedgefield, June 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.;

- Sumter Senior Services-Shiloh St. John Center, 475 Pudding Swamp Road, Lynchburg, June 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and

- Sumter Senior Services, 119 S. Sumter St., Sumter, June 14, 10 a.m.-noon